RSPCA to stop chasing hunts after backlash

FOR Britain’s bloodsports enthusiasts the chase may finally be coming to an
end. Ten years after the RSPCA helped to persuade parliament to ban the
hunting of wild mammals with dogs it has itself been cornered, driven to
earth by the wily political tactics of its foxhunting opponents.

Britain’s favourite charity, which funded much of the campaign resulting in
the Hunting Act, made law in 2004, has confirmed it may halt its
prosecutions of fox hunts.

It has pursued no prosecutions against hunts this year and is reviewing
proposals that it should move back to its roots, focusing mainly on the
welfare of domestic pets such as cats and dogs.

Ray Goodfellow, the charity’s chief legal officer, also told The Sunday Times
that the RSPCA needs to clarify its prosecutions policy, explaining just how
it decides to take cases to court.